In October 1993 the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino opened its doors and with it came a free show right at their front entrance off of the strip called, "The Battle of Buccaneer Bay". With it's opening, Steve Wynn thought it would be a good idea to shoot an hour long family adventure film that was actually just a promotional advertisement for his new Hotel. This movie would finally end up one night on NBC Sunday Night special late in January for one night only. But I also believe that the VHS was sold inside the Casino as well.
The movie showcases "The Battle of Buccaneer Bay" along with other parts of the casino and Wynn's other property at the time, The Mirage. It also includes the Implosion of the Dunes Hotel & Casino, which was the day after the opening of the Treasure Island.
This movie is pure nostalgia for me. It's definitely not the best movie in the world, but every time I watch it, it brings me right back to the 90's. Plus the music in this is actually really good. As someone who used to go see this show fairly regularly as a kid and watching this movie it's hard not to give it five stars, just for the nostalgia. It would be the main reason why I also love other pirate themed movies such as; Hook, Peter Pan, Muppet Treasure Island, and et cetera.
By 2003, "The Battle of Buccaneer Bay" was revamped for a more adult orientated audience as along with a name change of the Hotel. Now being called "The Sirens Cove" and "The Sirens of T.I." Which somehow acquired the direction and choreography of Kenny Ortega.
Then by 2013 the Sirens were booted out to make way for a Señor Frog's. So now there is no more shows except for the Cirque du Soleil show, Mystere. Which was the first permanent Cirque show in Las Vegas so I guess that's cool, but it's sad the days of the free show in their front entrance is gone forever, Aaron Hernandez.
Which is why I always like to come back to this movie for a nice little dose of nostalagia.
2021-09-09
